At this critical juncture, Mu Bai could still distinguish what mattered most. He did his utmost to gather his mind, holding his breath and focusing entirely on the Sea Dragon Beast Core, pouring in Soul Power continuously to control the Pill Furnace's temperature. He had to keep the original mass of medicinal liquid boiling without dispersing while slowly refining the Sea Dragon Beast Core into liquid. It truly tested an Alchemist's control of mental power and experience in regulating the flow of Soul Power.
The Sea Dragon Beast Core slowly softened, liquid dripping from it drop by drop and merging into the mass of medicinal liquid suspended inside the furnace. A falling needle could have been heard inside the cabin, and Wu Meng's breathing grew increasingly distinct. Mu Bai dared not relax his vigilance. As though no one else were there, his mind held only the constantly dripping Sea Dragon Beast Core and the gradually merging medicinal mass.
With a soft puff, the Sea Dragon Beast Core burned to ash. Mu Bai conjured a mental Light Screen around the medicinal mass to keep the ash from mixing into it, then shaped that mental power into a pair of hands and kneaded the mass into three Nascent Pills.
"Whew..."
Mu Bai let out a long breath. All that remained was to maintain the Pill Furnace's temperature steadily and nurture the pills to completion. He had refined the medicinal mass into three Nascent Pills, intending to keep one for himself once they were finished. As for the other two, he would leave their distribution to Wu Tai. If Wu Daoyi refused to accept one, all the better; Wu Daojian might get one.
Only when night fell again and Wu Meng had awakened were the three Giant Strength Pills finally nurtured to completion.